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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN
Country :-In the very beginning of the second chapter of PCV there is a conventional description of Magadha (2.1-7). The poet at first speaks of the situation of the Magadha country in Jambūdvīpa. Then the description of the habitats, the people, their economic conditions and social behaviour follow systematically.
It reminds us of Magadha described in the Vasudevahindi (I. p. 2).
Vidyadhara country at 3.157-161 and Vänaradvipa at 6.39-41 also have been described on the same pattern. The descriptions are not mere mechanical reproductions but are interlarded with varieties here and there.
At 33.14-16 there is a short and simple but effective description of a war-ravaged country side of Avanti. The place has been widowed for the inhabitants have deserted it. Everything is in a chaotic state; grains and crops scattered, routes and roads broken, disjointed carts lying uncared and old oxen languishing hither and thither.
City :-At 2.9-14 the city of Rājagpha with its ramparts, magnificent buildings beautified by display of light emitted by rubies and emeralds, pleasure gardens, the humming markets and various spectacles on public roads has been described in a picturesque manner.
It reminds us of the city of Sagala described in the beginning of the Milindapañho and the city of Rājagļha described in the Vasudevahindi (I. p. 2).
At 8.263-270 the description of the city of Lanka is given on the same pattern. There is also a display of colours and sweet smell of incense coming from the houses. The poet fancies (utprekşā) that the temples therein are so lofty as if they are trying to embrace the sky (8.265) and the flags of the fort of Lanká are so waving in the air as if the city is beckoning Rāvana (8.266), to come to her.
Sea:--At 8.258-62 there is an awe-inspiring description of Lavanasamudra'. The mighty sea is agitated with mountainous waves and
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#44447+=-aarafufaefaturaal आवत्तविद्दुमाहय-निल्लूरियदलियसंखउलं ।। संखउलसिप्पिसंपुड-विहडियपेरन्तचच्चियत रंग । सतरंगमारुयाहय-सरियामुहभरियकूलयलं ।। कूलयहंससारस-कलमलभरजणियरुद्धतडमग्गं । तडमग्गरयणबहुविह-किरणुज्जोवियदुरुप्पयरं । पयरन्तविसयमोत्तिय-धवलियघणफेणपूजपूजइयं । पूजइयदिव्वपायव-कुसुमसमाइण्ण दिण्णच्चं ॥ दिण्णच्चणं व रेहइ, महल्लहल्लन्तवीइसंघट्ट । संघटटजलाऊरिय, सव्वत्तो गुलगुलायन्तं ॥ ८.२५८-२६२
